The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-04-02
1eru Publications.

welt. American Statesmen series. II mo.
372 PIP. Boston. Houghton, Miffiin q Co.
Price 81 %.
Mr.. Roosevelt's life of Benton is political
biography, pure and simple, and makes no
pretense of any other distinction. As we
follow these pages we see the great political
leader and Senator of Missouri engaged
in the stirring world of politics, and we catch
but few glimpses of him except in connec-
ton with his great political career. The
point of view is solely that of politics and
craftsmanship. Benton is surveyed from
the second chapter onward as public char
acter, occupying a conspicuous position in
the nation, in connection with the events
which have now entered into American his
tory and with which the Missouri Senator
was associated. The opening chapter of the
work devoted to the Young West" and
brief narrative of the early years of Benton,
are about the only pages which are in any way
local in their character. The rest of the vol
ume is an outline of the political history of
the period in which the Missouri Senator lived
and a survey of the great controversies in
which "Old Bullion took so prominent
part.
Thomas H. Benton was for thirty years a
Senator of the United States. He was
strong character, a man of profound convic-
tions and with the courage to express them;
not brilliant, but exceedingly able in debate,
sincere, earnest, far-sighted, and of an hon.
esty which was never questioned. His pub
lie services were of great value to his country,
and it is we'll that they can now be studied in
the attractive form in which Mr. Roosevelt
has presented them in this biography. 1t
covers the political history of the country
from the election of Jackson in 1928 to the
Fremont campaign in 1856. As an example
of political biography the volume is admira-
BILE in style and treatment. 1t gives in COM
pact form the history of the great contro-
versies which convulsed the country previous
to the appearance of the slavery question IN
our politics-the notification troubles, the
war on the United States bank, the tariff
disputes--aud then outlines the preliminary
movements and controversies of the great
anti-slavery struggle. In its way it is an in
PRODUCTION to the history of the Shareholders
rebellion, and can be studied 10 advantage in
connection with the history of that great
conflict. benton died April 10, 1853. Mr..
Roosevelt records that during his last years
when his sturdy independence and devotion
to the Union had caused him the loss of his
political influence in his own State and with
his own party, he nevertheless stood higher
with the country at large than ever before"
And this is the final estimate which closes the
volume: "At all times and IN all places he
held every good gift he had completely at
the service of the American Federal Union"
From Death to Life, is very tastefully
print little volume, embracing six sermons
by the late Rev. Charles Kingsley, delivered
to his village congregation at Eversley, with
a selection of his letters, mainly taken from
the Memories" and edited with loving
care by his wife. Some brief excerpts from
these sermons have recently appeared in our
columns. Kingsley was a pronounced de-
fender of the g Larger Hope" and in these
sermons we have examples OF the manner in
which he advocated that hope before his vii
lage hearers. In the matter Of interpreting
certain texts, Kingsley differed considerably
from American Universalists, but in the
spirit of his preaching and the strong faith
in Eternal Love, he was substantially IN ac-
cord with our church. Mrs. Kingsley re-
marks: "Had his life on earth been pro-
longed, he would doubtless have spoken
more definitely in public, and so have de-
veloped the thoughts which, before this SUBJ
ject (the life after death) had become an
open question, he had the courage to suggest
in all bis novels, thereby mourning a charge
of heresy in some quarters; while on the
other hand, he opened a door of hope to
many a thoughtful, sensitive and perhaps
despairing soul" The publication of this
volume will serve useful purpose, not only
in interesting readers in these particular SER
mons, which are only as so many hints on
the subject of future destiny, but in at
tracing attention to his teaching as set forth
in more elaborate disoour5es and especially
in the "Letters and Memories of Charles
Kingsley" published ten years ago-one of
the most interesting and instructive volumes
in modern religious biography. 1t is pleas
ant to know that Mrs. Kingsley shares the
enlarged faith and hope of her husband, and
has edited this little volume in the confident
belief that its teaching will be helpful along
the lines on which, if Kingsley had been |
spared, ne would doubtless have prepared a |
more extended work. Macmillan & Co, |
London and New York, publishers. Price IS |
cents.
Practical Piety. Four discourses delivered |
at Central Music Hall, Chicago, by Jenkin |
Lloyd Jones. Chicago; Charles H. Kerr &
Co. 80 cents. These discourses are on the |
following subjects: " The Economies of |
Religion" "Bread VS.. Ideas" Present |
.l.I:. 1, ~. nInsrr,n tho NhiI,lrnn, . |